House Bill 900 Summary

• Amends Section 99-19-73 to create a $1.00 assessment on traffic violations, implied consent law violations, game and fish violations, other misdemeanors, and other felonies to fund the Civil Legal Assistance Fund.

• Eliminates funding for 28 existing special funds (State Court Education Fund, State Prosecutor Education Fund, Capital Defense Counsel Fund, etc.) that previously received assessment revenue, redirecting those monies to the State General Fund instead.

• Maintains existing assessment structure for speeding and reckless driving violations ($10-$30), railroad crossing violations ($25), drug violations ($25-$27), and uninsured motorist violations ($200-$400).

• Requires county chancery clerks and municipal clerks to deposit all state assessments collected monthly with the State Treasurer and report violation counts to the Department of Finance and Administration.

• Effective July 1, 2023.